From its early days to the present age, the world of filmmaking has brought loads of different thrilling genres to the big screens. But not many are as exciting as the movies showcasing the glamour and excitement of casinos and gambling.
Different aspects of the casino and gambling scene have inspired many captivating films over the years. From high-stakes competitions to nerve-wracking poker games, card counting schemes, money heists, etc., these movies come with suspense-filled, intriguing stories played out by star-studded casts.
Keep reading, as this article highlights some of the most popular casino-centric movies you shouldn’t miss.
21 (2008)
Based on a true story, 21 is a star-studded movie that transports us into the world of card counting, featuring Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, and many others.
The movie follows Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), an out-of-luck brilliant MIT student newly admitted to Harvard Medical School looking for ways to afford his expensive $300,000 tuition. Seeing his talents in mathematics, MIT professor Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey) invited Campbell to join his underground blackjack team along with other mathematically adept students.
Micky taught Campbell and the other students card counting in blackjack, and they all soon started hitting casinos and using their skills to rake in loads of winnings. However, this soon led to unanticipated trouble for Campbell, which put his academic future at risk.
21 not only highlights the mathematical prowess behind card counting but also explores themes of greed, loyalty, and the consequences of living a double life. It showcases both the allure and risks of casino gambling, making it a memorable pick in the genre. Do you also enjoy blackjack or other card games? Read more here to discover where you can enjoy these exciting titles online.
Croupier (1998)
Croupier is another captivating casino-centric movie that shows the gambling world from a dealer’s perspective. It stands out by showcasing the manipulations, calculations, and drama that unfolds behind the table.
The movie follows Jack Manfred, portrayed by Clive Owen, a down-on-his-luck struggling writer who starts working as a croupier at a casino to make ends meet. He uses his experience as a croupier to get inspiration for a book with a character based on himself.
Jack soon found himself breaking several codes of conduct and later became involved in a planned robbery for a £20,000 cut after befriending a gambler. Unsurprisingly, things soon spiral out of control in many different ways.
Molly’s Game (2017)
Molly’s Game is another true story-based movie centered around high-stakes poker games. Starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, and other great actors, this movie follows Molly Bloom, a world-class mogul skier turned underground poker host.
After a severe injury forced her to retire, Molly moved to Los Angeles and became a bottle service waitress at a club. This is where she met real estate developer Dean, who hired her to become his office manager and host for his underground poker games, where many famous and wealthy individuals played.
She soon became vastly successful and branched out on her own. However, things started to spiral out of control, and she soon attracted the attention of the Russian and Italian Mafia and the FBI. This resulted in a crackdown on her illegal operations and legal troubles.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Featuring an all-star cast that includes George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Robert, and others, Ocean’s Eleven is undeniably one of the most popular and most successful casino movies of all time. Sure, it’s more about heists than gambling, but the movie revealed a different side to the world of casinos and how they operate.
The story follows Danny Ocean (George Clooney), a charismatic ex-con who constructs and executes an elaborate and daring heist—robbing three casinos simultaneously. He does this alongside his crew of 11 specialists, each with a unique set of skills.
Of course, Danny also had to include a romantic heist taking back his ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts), from Terry (Andy Garcia), the new boyfriend and the owner of the casinos.
Others
Beyond the options mentioned above, there are many other famous movies about casinos and gambling that every enthusiast must check out. A few other notable mentions include:
- Casino Royale (2006)
- Rounders (1998)
- Rain Man (1988)
- The Cooler (2003)
- Casino (1995)
- Uncut Gems (2020)
- The Card Counter (2021)
Conclusion
This concludes our list of the top must-watch casino-centric movies. When the high-stakes world of casino gambling and the movies’ big screens collide, the results are often spectacular. From the glamorous scenes of Las Vegas casinos to high-stakes games, money heists, etc., the above picks are sure to keep you on the edge of your seats.
